In A World of Change

Things are constantly changing in the world of publishing.  Whether it be the genre that is taking off or the introduction of Indie Authors and Self-Publishing...things are always in flux.  The current change is going on in the world of Amazon.  First Amazon calls out Hatchette books for upping the prices of ebooks and asks all the self published authors to write a letter complaining about what they are doing and how we support Amazon.  What is funny is do we really support Amazon?  Because not too long after this email comes out Amazon started Kindle Unlimited.  A program that encourages Kindle user to sign up and use Amazon as a library.  Getting books for free and paying a monthly fee.  It sounds like a great idea but in order to do this the book must only be on Amazon which alienates the people who prefer to read on other devices.  Now the issue seems to be Kindle Unlimited is affecting rankings.  Well rankings are the life blood of any author so the grumble has just begun.  Can't wait for the next change. 

SERENITY is LIVE

Check out the video on YouTube!   Serenity is on sale for .99 cents!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1deFA-kYTE&feature=youtu.be

What I learned from my book signing tour!

This summer I had a great opportunity to join local Pacific Northwest Authors in a six bookstore Young Adult/ New Adult book tour.  Big thanks go out to T.M. Franklin for organizing it.
I learned so many things about being an author and publishing during this tour.  Here is a list of a few;
1. Covers are SUPER important when readers are walking by.  I watched over and over as people passed over my book in favor of another simply by the cover.  Does that mean I know what covers work and what don't?  Not really but I will definitely put a lot more thought into it. ( not that I wasn't already)

2.  You have to be able to sum up your book in 15 seconds and make it sound like it is the best thing since the invention of electricity because that is about how long you have the readers attention.

3.  This one is a little controversial but I don't mean it that way at all.  When asking young people what they read they automatically say paranormal, adventure...
They say that because that is what is easy to say.  It is a rote answer.  They aren't familiar with the tons of genres out there so they go to the fall back ones.  As the new movies come out I think romance and contemporary will work its way back in to favor.

4. And finally!  There is little else that feels as awesome as being handed a pile of book that a book store asks you to sign.  WAS AWESOME! 

COVER REVEAL FOR 1000 STOLEN MOMENTS

Many of you know I also write under the name Connie Michael and today is the cover reveal for my military romance coming out January 2015!

 

Can you choose between fighting for your life and fighting for your heart?

 

When twenty-two year old Emme Sawyer joins a Marine unit heading into Helmand Providence, she focuses on what she does best: keeping her men safe. But, when the unit is hit by an IED, Emme realizes she can’t save everyone. With her humanity on the line, and her faith in question, she seeks comfort from Raven, her commanding officer. Soon, Emme develops feelings that don’t belong in a combat zone, where each step could be your last.

 

Raven keeps his emotions locked up tight, never allowing the men to see him sweat. But when Emme joins his unit, all bets are off; and the feelings he thought he left stateside begin to emerge. Knowing that the deserts of Afghanistan are the last place to start a romance, and the United States military’s view on fraternizing; Raven tries to deny his heart. Emme and Raven learn you can’t always choose where love finds you.